Comments on: Andy MacPhail is BSing Orioles fans

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:08:05 +0000

I’m late to the party here, but I wanted to point something out. I consider myself to be one of those intelligent O’s fans who recognize it’s not in our best interest to do anything but continue to build for the future at this point. And I think Craig is onto something.
I keep being surprised by the columns in the Sun complaining about MacPhail and the comments on the Suns blogs echoing those complaints. When MacPhail dealt Sherill for two decent prospects, people were complaining the whole rest of the season when the bullpen was terrible that we should have kept him. Sorry, but not only did we need to trade Sherill for those prospects (including Josh Bell) but we were better off losing those games and getting a better draft pick. There’s no point in wasting money and roster spots on players who have trade value if they are not going to be around to help us make the playoffs in a couple years.
But, unfortunately, many O’s fans don’t recognize this. While the Sun has largely given MacPhail the benefit of the doubt, they need to sell papers and so they manufacture some controversy that appeals to those casual fans. Or the Sun columnists are just as stupid as those fans. Or both.
And so, yes, MacPhail is playing to them. And I can’t say I don’t blame him.

By: MBK

MBK — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:07:31 +0000

I'm not really sure what the point of this article is, other than attempting to create controversy and poo-pooing the O's and their ownership. Anyone who follows the team knows where we are now, what our short- and long-term needs are, and realizes what the free-agent market is this year. A vet SP who can eat innings at the right price for a year, two max (Doug Davis?) and a righty vet who can play 1st base for a year or two (ironically, Aubrey Huff fits the mold) are where the smart money's at. What's being ignored, however, is that the bullpen needs an overhaul, and with the expiring contracts and a buyers market of quality arms available, THAT'S where the team needs to focus this season. Signing Billy Wagner would be fantastic, but Gonzalez, Soriano, Rodney, Lyon, etc. would be a nice complemtent to Koji, a healthy Ray, etc, in the 'pen. To see McPhail's actual quotes in context, see: http://masnsports.com/2009/11/os-have-payroll-flexibility.html

By: Dave Besecker

Dave Besecker — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:39:18 +0000

I mean good core “of” quality guys

By: Dave Besecker

Dave Besecker — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:45:17 +0000

I do agree aboutht eh outfield. A possibility of being very dominant, defensively and offernsively. Catcher, short and 2B are some of the best in BB. Good core or quality guys.

By: Dave Besecker

Dave Besecker — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:42:34 +0000

I don’t think they need a Lackey – type starter. It’s not the right time to sign that kind of pitcher. Wait until your on the brink of making the post-season to do that. If anyone, take a roll of the dice with Ben Sheets (or similar type). They need to trust that the young pitchers will succeed and Guthrie will bounce back. They should sign Glaus, Beltre or Dye (B-list free agents that can have an A-list type year). to fill thrid or first and hit RH. They also need to sign a solid closer. Ray and Johnson are not good bets to be the shut down closer.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:49:42 +0000

Lackey would be a great signing if he’s up for about 75 quality starts next year.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:10:32 +0000

Well, obviously they’re pretty set at outfield and have a third base and a first base prospect coming. So, yeah, I doubt it’ll be much more than one or two years deals on stopgap guys. But I think signing John Lackey would be fine. It won’t happen, but it would be a perfectly acceptable move.
But yeah, mostly, I’d like to see them just plow a ton of money into the draft and international signings rather than going for Chone Figgins or something.

By: Craig Calcaterra

Craig Calcaterra — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:48:41 +0000

I don’t think they read the interviews, but I certainly think they read headlines, and when they see one that says “MacPhail: the Orioles have payroll flexibility” they’d not unreasonably conclude that the Orioles are wanting to be active in the free agent market.
But yes, I’ll grant you that I’m probably overreacting here. I just think that the O’s have burned their fans more than most teams in recent history, and that they more than any other team need to be straight with them.

By: Flup

Flup — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:45:59 +0000

Eh… I think you’re being too hard on McPhail here. It’s a condensed interview, and nowhere does he say, “yeah, we’ve got someone big in mind for this year” or anything like that. Among the fans here in Baltimore there’s a fear that Angelos has gotten so burned by the free agent market that he’s never going to pay anything for anyone ever again, that we’re looking at the O’s turning into the Pirates or Marlins. I think mostly McPhail’s just trying to assuage those fears.
And, really, Craig, do you seriously think that “casual” fans read hot-stove interviews with the GM about payroll flexibility?

By: Kanonen

Kanonen — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:33:16 +0000

I used to be an O’s fan – until Peter Angelos crapped on my hopes and dreams.

By: Craig Calcaterra

Craig Calcaterra — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:55:44 +0000

Wow, that’s bad even for me. I mean, Lee is still alive, but he’s 92 and I’m assuming that he’s not BSing anyone except his doctors at this point. I’ll fix.

By: Jon KK

Jon KK — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:38:57 +0000

Craig, I assume it’s a typo and not intentional — it’s *Andy* McPhail.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:29:06 +0000

Lee McPhail works for a lawyer. What the hell did you expect?